Imagine a world where electric vehicles are no longer bound by conventional motor designs. Well, that future might be closer than we think, thanks to Donut Lab’s groundbreaking second-generation hubless EV motor. This innovative technology not only offers impressive performance but also challenges the traditional norms in the electric vehicle industry.

At CES 2025, Donut Lab unveiled its latest in-wheel drive units, featuring a radical donut-shaped design that is set to redefine how electric cars are powered. While most EVs today follow the blueprint of traditional combustion cars with motors housed within the vehicle body, these new in-wheel electric motors aim to revolutionize this setup by integrating directly into the wheel arches.

“The way EVs are designed inherits a lot from combustion car architecture… In-wheel electric motors promise to shrink and move those components into the wheel arches, freeing up space in the cabin for people and cargo.”

One of the key advantages of this new motor design is its compact size and lightweight construction. Despite packing an impressive punch with up to 630 kilowatts (845 horsepower) and 4,300 newton-meters (3,171 pound-feet of torque) per unit, the donut-shaped motor weighs just 88 pounds (40 kg). This weight reduction not only enhances efficiency but also translates into increased range for electric vehicles.

While some enthusiasts may raise concerns about unsprung mass affecting performance and ride quality due to the additional weight at each wheel, Donut Lab has addressed these issues by focusing on reducing overall vehicle weight through their innovative motor design.

“Less weight means more range… with the additional weight savings from ditching half-shafts, CV joints and other drivetrain components…”

Moreover, apart from enhancing performance and efficiency, these donut-shaped motors also offer cost benefits. By streamlining manufacturing processes and reducing part counts by as much as 50%, Donut Lab aims to make electric vehicles more affordable for consumers in the long run.

By integrating both the motor and cooling hardware into the rim of the wheel itself, this unique design opens up possibilities for maximizing interior space within EV chassis. This extra room can be utilized for accommodating passengers or cargo more efficiently or even experimenting with cutting-edge aerodynamic features.

“Moving the motor into the wheel arches also saves space within… reallocated for cargo, passengers or experimental aerodynamics.”

In addition to catering to passenger vehicles, Donut Lab’s innovation extends to larger applications like semi trucks with a specially designed version of their hubless wheels optimized for efficiency at lower operating RPMs while delivering substantial power per wheel. And it doesn’t stop there; they have also developed models tailored for scooters and drones alongside motorcycle-specific motors already making waves on boutique electric bikes today.

This shift towards unconventional yet highly functional motor designs signals a turning point in how we perceive electric propulsion systems across various modes of transport. As technology continues to evolve rapidly in this sector, it’s exciting to witness pioneers like Donut Lab pushing boundaries and reshaping our expectations when it comes to sustainable mobility solutions.